How long it takes?
In order to pass LPN examination(NCLEX-PN) you will need to study about from 9 months to 18 months. Most of the programs are 1 year long. There are lots of LPN programs offered by state, community and private colleges.
How much it costs?
Most of LPN programs will cost you from $5000 up to $20000. All depends on state and you personal skills. Pay attention to detailed price description as sometimes this does not include certification itself. Fo example, price can include - DPS Criminal Background Check, uniforms, shoes, clinical supplies, textbooks, lab supplies, immunizations, toxicology screening, licensing. But on opposite any of those can be requested as extra expenses outside the course cost. And those can be costy, e.g. textbooks&lab supplies could cost about $500-$700, licensing - about $500-$600. And so on...
What NCLEX-PN is like?
But few words on process. We will skip education process as it varies from student to student as some have knowledges and others are starting from the very beginning. Some take online courses and others prefer live courses.
The part which is the same for everyone is LPN Certification (NCLEX-PN).
You can download NCLEX-PN ® Examination Detailed Test Plan for in-depth details on NCLEX-PN.
The NCLEX-PN consists of several areas: Coordinated Care, Safety and Infection Control, Health Promotion and Maintenance, Psychosocial Integrity, Basic Care and Comfort, Pharmacological Therapies, Reduction of Risk Potential, Physiological Adaptation.
Test itself does not have preset length and can be anywhere from 85 to 205 items long. The length of the examination is determined by the candidate’s responses to the items. It's highly recomended to spend only one or two minutes on each item. It is important to metion that NCLEX-PN is quite guess-proof, meaning trying to guess answers without even reading questions will certainly lead to failing examination.